In the heart of Chicago’s South Side, where the aroma of hickory smoke mingles with decades of community stories, Lem’s Bar‑B‑Q has secured a place in culinary history by winning the prestigious James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award. This recognition celebrates Lem’s Bar‑B‑Q as one of America’s enduring grassroots institutions, honored for its timeless appeal and devotion to authentic flavor.
Founded in 1954 by brothers Myles and Bruce Lemons, and later joined by James B. Lemons in 1968, Lem’s Bar‑B‑Q introduced Chicago to the iconic Chicago‑style barbecue (think rib tips, hot links and that tangy vinegar‑based sauce smoked in the signature glass‑walled aquarium smoker). It’s this very style of barbecue that has placed Chicago on the national BBQ map, often overshadowed by Texas and Memphis, now spotlighted thanks to Lem’s new honor.
Today, Carmen Lemons, daughter of James Lemons (who passed in 2015), along with family members Lynn Walker, Billy Lemons, Kameron Lemons, and longtime friends, carry forward the legacy.
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